The Atrium apartments were built in the first phase of Godalming's Key Site development

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GODALMING’S 225-home Key Site development has been refused permission by the government, despite a recommendation that it should be approved.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Hazel Blears has turned down the application on the grounds that its design was not considered good enough for the town.

She has however made it clear that the scale of the development, including a proposed eight-storey tower block, would be acceptable.

The decision has been cautiously welcomed by opponents, though some fear such clear support for the scale of the development will lead to a second application which will be harder to fight.

The final decision on the major town centre project, which included 225 flats, shops and a new police station, was made by Ms Blears as it was considered to significantly impact on the government’s objective of securing a better balance between housing demand and supply.

Following a two-week public inquiry in July, government planning inspector Andrew Freeman came to the conclusion that the development was acceptable and should be approved.

Disagreeing with the objections of Waverley Borough Council, he decided there would be no adverse impact on the town or on neighbouring residents.

He also backed Flambard Developments' assertions that due to the “abnormal costs” associated with the contaminated site, the scheme would not be financially viable if affordable housing was included.

And Mr Freeman concluded that the developers should not have to contribute financially to leisure and education provision.

"Lacks inspiration"

Praising the proposals he said: “The scale, height and massing of the proposed development would be entirely appropriate.

“Although a significant departure, the scheme would complement the existing townscape.

“The tower would be a prominent landmark and would give focus to the townscape at an important gateway.”

Despite agreeing that the “intensive development” proposed would be appropriate, Ms Blears branded the design of the buildings as “utilitarian” and “lacking in imagination”.

A statement released by the DCLG said: “While the scale of the development could be appropriate this is dependent upon high quality architecture and sensitive detailing being achieved.

“In this respect, the Secretary of State considers that the architecture is not of sufficiently high quality for the location. She shares the view expressed at the inquiry that it shares a 'generic' quality of 'family resemblance' to other blocks of flats elsewhere in the country.

“The Secretary of State particularly shares the view that the proposed eight-storey tower 'lacks inspiration and does not display the level of thinking or rigorous approach that is expected of such a significant proposal'."

Waverley Borough Council has said it will now look closely at Ms Blears' conclusions as they “appear completely contrary to Waverley’s views, both of officers and members”.

Ron Musk, chairman of the Godalming Trust, called the situation bizarre.

“We are now in the very unsatisfactory position that the Secretary of State, by accepting the scale of the proposals, has in effect overridden the local plan brief for this major site,” he said.